La. State Rep. Girod Jackson charged with federal tax violations

Louisiana State Rep. Girod Jackson was charged on Thursday in a three-count bill of information with federal tax violations, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana said in a news release.

Jackson, 41, was charged with one count of making a fraudulent statement on a tax return, which is a felony, and two counts of willful failure to file tax returns, which are misdemeanors.

Jackson represents parts of the West Bank in Jefferson Parish. Jackson was elected into office in 2007 and served his first full year for District 87 in 2008.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said he misrepresented on his federal tax return for 2006 the total income received by his company, Diversified Ventures, LLC.

In 2007 and 2008, the news release said, despite having earned sufficient income from his company, other sources and having filed requests for extensions of time to file his tax returns, he failed to file any returns at all.

If convicted, Jackson faces up to three years in prison and up to $200,000 in fines.

Later Thursday,the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus said Jackson had resigned from his position.

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